How To Struggle In Julia Alvarez's In The Time Of The Butterflies

Imagine living during the reign of Trujillo’s oppressing regime in the Dominican Republic. The events the occurred during this time were horrific, whether it was torture, or the assassination of innocent people Trujillo and his men were always installing fear into the people of the Dominican Republic. In Julia Alvarez’s In the Time of the Butterflies she delivers a firsthand account of the horrors of Trujillo’s regime, and how four sisters contributed to the ultimate downfall of Trujillo’s power. There were four sisters, but one particular one had the most effect on leading the revolt, and that is Minerva Mirabal. The main reasons that contribute to this are, she deliberately goes against the rules of Trujillo and other officials; her mental strength aids in the fight as it helps her refuse to submit to Trujillo; her audacity in decision making; and her compassion for the cause. All these reasons and many more contribute to her joining, and fighting in the resistance against El Jefe. Throughout the novel the reader can witness Minerva deliberately going against the rules of

Minerva’s abnormal courage first becomes apparent when she confronts Trujillo at the Discovery Day Dance and strikes him. The whole time at the dance, something Lio said remains in the back of her mind. Minerva recalls Lio saying, “This regime is seductive. How else would a whole nation fall prey to this little man?” (96). This quotation is an excellent example of Minerva’s mental strength because she realized that Trujillo and his men were going to offer her many things in an attempt to seduce her, however, she stays true to herself and refuses to fall to this little man like the many others that have. These and many other examples exhibit the fortitude and courage required to successfully contribute to the revolution in the Dominican